We're All Doomed, Doomed, I Tells Ya

[fulvio sammut]

The local competition commences this weekend with barely a whimper from RugbyWA, or indeed the clubs. I haven't seen a word in the papers and the club websites are as silent and as exciting as morgues.

Why is this? Is there a lack of interest from players and supporters? Has the depth plummeted by the Force in its first 7 games of the season reduced everyone involved at all levels into depression and apathy?

A visit to club training sessions appears to bear out the theory (mine) that all is not well in clubland.

Some of the district clubs can barely field two senior sides. Some of the traditionally strong clubs in the Junior competition have had to pull out of the under 18s colts competition for lack of numbers. And these are clubs with large catchment areas (Rockingham), and cosy ties with private schools (Nedlands).

Senior numbers at training have been pathetic. As little as two weeks ago some clubs had only 40 or so players turning up at training, all grades combined. Trial matches have been deplorable, with one club having to use the same team to play both second and first grade with virtually no substitutions, and University not having enough props to field a first or second grade front row.

And the first grade standard across all clubs has been dishearteningly poor. Palmyra and Kalamunda had a joke of a trial with neither side looking a shadow of itself over the last couple of years (admittedly Kala comes off a low base, but still) and a number of first grade trials have started or finished with uncontested scrums.

The level of preseason serious injuries is appalling, and indicates very poor fitness and preparatory work in the off season.

Rumours are doing the rounds about the drying up of funds to the clubs, especially from sponsorship, and the fee collection rate is horrendous. One club lowered its fees to $150 per senior player (about half what it charges its juniors) and still only has a 35% return.

Its going to be bleak.

Still, we can always call in Wallabies to play for Cottesloe in the finals. That should liven things up a bit and give everyone else a bit of heart and belief in the fairness of the system.

[zimeric]

that may be so FS.. Haven't seen too much of senior grade preseason to comment. However I can say that this year is the first time I've seen so many folks walking around with their Force jumpers and caps. So I dont think it has much to do with the success of the Force.. And not all age groups are suffering either, U8s for example have their highest turnout ever this year for bayswater, enough to have 3 teams in the comp for the first time.
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[jargan83]

Out of curiosity Fulvio are there any plans for a Friday night fixture again this year? I must say the one last year was pretty well attended down at Paly, I'd easily say it was the biggest crowd of the year

[Swee_82]

I think I saw a Friday Night game in the fixtures list Jargs

[jargan83]

Haven't seen that

Disregard

[blueandblack]

"5 Friday, 7th May 20:00:00 Palmyra Kalamunda"

[KalaFan]

Uni.......make me an offer

[GIGS20]

Uni.......make me an offer

I'm pretty sure they've got 500 bucks if you stay in Kalamunda

[pieter blackie]

OK Fulvio Here goes round 1

Kala will beat Soaks with about 10 points
Uni will win against West but they will go uncontested in the second half
Baysies will kick Rocky's ass because it is a home game
Wanneroo might just pull one over Cottesloe
And last but not least Pally with a dozen against Nedlands

---------- Post added at 19:59 ---------- Previous post was at 19:58 ----------

don't forget to get your tips in for round 1

http://twf.com.au/tippicks.php#10perth

[brokendown gunfighter]

pally may score a dozen,but Neddies will score two dozen

[Ecky]

....Uni will win against West but they will go uncontested in the second half

Interesting new local law this year: If a team goes to uncontested scrums then they must remove one player from the field. That might test the resolve of the coach whose (alleged) tactic is to play 2nd phase stuff because they have a crap scrum...

[fulvio sammut]

Hadn't heard about that one, Ecky, brilliant innovation!

They might extend it to losing TWO players if they start the game with uncontested scrums, or go to uncontested scrums within the first twenty minutes of the game.

BDG, if Nedlands only score two dozen points against what passes for Palmyra this weekend, they are more stuffed than even I thought possible.

[Ecky]

"5 Friday, 7th May 20:00:00 Palmyra Kalamunda"

As I recall, last year's Friday Night Football had a very good crowd to watch a very good, tight game, won in the last few seconds of the game.

Best o'luck for this fixture Paly - hope you get a decent crowd. Kala usually has a fair crowd to most of their games, so I reckon you will fill the bar.

[beige]

Interesting new local law this year: If a team goes to uncontested scrums then they must remove one player from the field. That might test the resolve of the coach whose (alleged) tactic is to play 2nd phase stuff because they have a crap scrum...

Interesting... I think they were using that rule in France last year?

[KalaFan]

so what grade are you doing this year Ecky, just sticking with the womens?